Triangular Tooth Positioning for Sub-2mm Grooming Adjustments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current hair clippers with mechanical means for varying hair length cut typically offer step sizes of around 2 mm, making it difficult to achieve sub 2 mm positional adjustments, which are desirable for a wide range of devices.
Innovation Solution
A personal grooming appliance with a position setting assembly that includes a spine and a locking element with interlocking triangularly shaped teeth, allowing for sub 2 mm step size adjustments while maintaining sufficient strength to withstand operational forces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If traditional mechanical means with spaced apart biased limbs are used to adjust comb position, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates (cannot achieve sub 2 mm step sizes)
Solution Approach 1:
The position setting assembly is segmented into discrete triangular teeth on the spine and locking element, where each tooth represents a discrete position step. This segmentation enables precise sub-2mm positioning through the geometric configuration of triangular teeth with specific peak-to-peak dimensions, while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the geometric parameters of the teeth from traditional rectangular or circular profiles to triangular shapes with specific dimensions (peak-to-peak distance of 0.5-1.5mm, height of 0.8-0.95mm, base width of 0.8-1mm). This parameter change enables sub-2mm positioning precision while maintaining structural strength and simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If smaller triangular teeth are used to achieve sub 2 mm step sizes, then manufacturing precision improves, but strength deteriorates (cannot withstand operational forces)
Solution Approach 1:
The triangular teeth are designed with optimized parameters including peak-to-peak distance of 0.5-1.5mm for precision, while height of 0.8-0.95mm and base width of 0.8-1mm provide sufficient strength. The triangular geometry itself provides mechanical advantage for withstanding operational forces during hair cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking element and spine are designed to work together as a composite system, where the interlocking triangular teeth create a mechanically strong connection that distributes operational forces across multiple engagement points, maintaining strength despite small tooth dimensions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If variable length comb attachment is used, then adaptability improves, but ease of operation deteriorates (cannot achieve fine adjustments)
Solution Approach 1:
The comb attachment position is segmented into discrete steps defined by the triangular teeth spacing (0.5-1.5mm peak-to-peak), providing fine-grained adjustment capability. Each tooth represents a controllable position step, enabling precise hair length selection while maintaining adaptability across different cutting styles.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces complicated mechanical arrangements of spaced apart biased limbs with a simpler triangular tooth interlocking system. This substitution maintains the variable length functionality while dramatically simplifying the adjustment mechanism and improving ease of operation.
Data Source
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AI summary
The subject-matter of the present disclosure relates to a personal grooming appliance (100) comprising an operational head (104) with a part (108) having an adjustable position, and a position setting assembly (110) configured to set a position of the part. The assembly comprising a spine (112) and a locking element (114). The locking element is configured to releasably engage with the spine, and the spine and the locking element comprise a plurality of interlocking triangularly shaped teeth (116, 120).